SARGODHA: The peaceful atmosphere of the DHQ Hospital is marred by frequent scuffles between senior and young doctors followed by registration of criminal cases against each other.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Sargodha chapter, condemned the poor administrative control of the medical superintendent who, they alleged, was showing undue favour to young doctors.

The PMA in a meeting presided over by its president Dr Sikandar Hayat Warraich and MNA Dr Zulfikar Ali Bhatti voiced their concern over the alleged mismanagement of MS Dr Pervez Haider.

They also expressed their disquiet over the registration of a false case of issuing a fake medico-legal certificate against senior doctor Hafiz Riaz Husain Awan.

The PMA urged the Punjab government to take action against the corrupt and miscreant elements after a fair and impartial inquiry.

Sources said that young doctors were annoyed by the alleged misbehaviour of senior doctors and moved applications to high-ups of the health department.

They said young doctors also moved a complaint to the police station against thrashing and hurling threats by senior doctor Hafiz Muhammad Riaz Awan.

About a week ago, Dr Riaz submitted a complaint to the police that a group of young doctors manhandled him and threatened him with dire consequences when he was in an operation theatre.

The doctor alleged that police did not register a case on his complaint, but a case was registered against him for injuring a junior doctor on the basis of a fake medico-legal certificate.

Sources said junior doctors were also often found missing from the emergency ward and a watchman was left to attend the patients.

An insider, requesting anonymity, said the MS lodged complaints with high-ups that senior doctors mostly remained absent from duty and preferred their private practice.

He said the MS also motivated young doctors to provide proper treatment to indoor and outdoor patients and assured them full protection against senior doctors.

He said the MS also requested young doctors to avoid frequent strikes and agitation against the senior doctors.

He alleged that the MS was also violating rules and regulations and misusing funds.

When contacted, the police refused to give details saying that ‘high-ups have forbidden them to provide any detail to reporters.”

The district police officer and the SDPO concerned were unavailable for comments.

The MS also refused to comment and added that an inquiry was likely to be conducted.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015